A Southside High School teacher accused of inappropriate contact with a student has been arrested on sex charges.

On May 3, investigators with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office were made aware of an alleged sexual assault involving a Southside High School teacher, Erickson Lamar Bynum, and a student.

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Bynum, 38, was arrested by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, according to a release.

The release said the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Children Unit began an investigation and learned that Bynum had been having sexual relations with a 16-year-old student starting in August 2015.

Bynum was performing oral sex on the 16-year-old inside the school on multiple different occasions, the release said. Through this extensive investigation, investigators found that Bynum had attempted to sexually assault two other students who were both 17 years of age, off of the school’s campus. One of the off-campus incidents happened at the suspect’s home, and the other incident occurred at the home of the victim, the release said.

Bynum was taken into custody Wednesday evening and is charged with two counts of second-degree assault and battery and one count of sexual battery with a student.

Bynum was released from the Greenville County Detention Center on his own recognizance.

"It's shocking, it really is. When I seen it, I was like oh my God. He is a good person, he really is. He helps out when anybody needs help," said Quadaysia Dixon, a senior at Southside High School.

Immediately upon becoming aware of a concern about Bynum, Greenville County Schools referred the matter to the Sheriff’s Office, according to the release.

Greenville County Schools will proceed in its employment action to address this conduct in accordance with state law which governs personnel actions affecting teachers, the release said. State law requires that a teaching employee remain on paid leave status pending completion of due process requirements.

Bynum was hired as a substitute teacher at Southside in 2005. He became a full-time English teacher in 2006 and was the speech and debate coach.

"To me he was a very good person. I don't know what's going on actually. I don't think half of it is true to be honest," said Rodney Walker, a senior at Southside High School.

As with all Greenville County Schools employees, a background check was run on Bynum through SLED and a multi-state database prior to his hiring. His record was clear.